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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Swing keel makes clunking noise

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alan.bray
Deckhand

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Canada
2 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/06/2011 : 16:28:20

I have a 2008 Catalina 250WB. The swing keel makes a clunking noise when the boat rocks. I have installed the shims provided to me by Catalina but this has not alleviated the problem. I suppose it is possible that the pivot pin (or bushing) in the swing keel may be worn but the boat has had this problem since it was new. I would appreciate any guidance/suggestions on how to fix this most annoying problem.

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dubedoo
1st Mate

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68 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2011 : 20:53:46

Hi Alan,

You didn't say whether the centerboard clunks when down or up....or both. I did a search of this forum for "centerboard noise" and found a couple of threads that address the subject. You might try doing a search to get some perspectives from others.

I picked up some large nylon washers at the hardware store and have used them as shims on the pivot pin/shaft....getting as tight a fit as I can. Likewise, it didn't make the problem go away but it did help. I don't get much clunking when I'm anchored or in the slip and have pulled the centerboard all the way up and this is my practice anymore....to pull the centerboard up when anchored or in the slip. Have never noticed a clunking problem while sailing. If I'm going to have a problem with clunking it's when the centerboard is down and the boat is taking waves on the beam.

One of the threads that come up in the "centerboard noise" search mentions shims that are epoxied onto the centerboard..forward of the pivot pin. I'm not familiar with these but it sounds to me like these could be worth a try....essentially wedging the top/forward part of the centerboard into the trunk.

Steve
C250 WB #702

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dubedoo
1st Mate

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68 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2011 : 22:10:58

http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=391&ParentCat=107

http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=567&ParentCat=107

Above are listed for the C25 on the Catalina Direct website.....but the keel hanger casting looks just like what we have on the C250. Why wouldn't the spacer kit work on the C250?? Since we have the lighter centerboard rather than that heavy swing keel....I'd be tempted to try the spacer kit(or something like it) without replacing the keel hanger casting. The description of the above items on the Catalina Direct site seems to point out that the tolerances (in this area) on the C25 may have left something to be desired....just like on the C250.

Steve
C250 WB #702

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2011 : 05:13:33

Thanks for posting this question. The links by steve caused me to browse around CD's site a bit and I found the [url="http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=232"]keel page[/url]

As far as the clunking goes, it's on going. On our 250WB we had an issue with the keel. There is a phenolic type material cylinder that is glassed into the keel and through which the keel swivel pin passes. Ours seperated from the keel and we had to remove the centerboard and reglass the cylinder. While at it we also put new nylon spacer washers between the centerboard and the casting hangers.

Still, we have clunks when at anchor and a-rocking, but much diminished. I do have to do a minor repair to the centerboard after scraping the tip on a shallow stop sign, when I do, I'll be adding some FBG padding to the top sides of the centerboard to make it a better fit with the intent of eliminating the clunk.

Paul

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alan.bray
Deckhand

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Canada
2 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2011 : 11:56:38

Thanks for your information guys. I will take a look, implement some fixes and report back. As you report, the clunking takes place mostly while at anchor or in a slip when taking waves from the beam. It is better when the swing keel is raised but not eliminated. Will let you know.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.